State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, left, and midstate lawyer Tom Brier, right, are both running for the 10th Congressional District in the Democratic primary.
Eugene DePasquale via Facebook and Tom Brier
Dems battle for spot in closely watched PA10 general election
One veteran and one newcomer battle for Democratic nomination in closely watched congressional race. Here’s an Election 2020 preview of the campaign in the Tenth District.
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Julia Agos/WITF
Eugene DePasquale via Facebook and Tom Brier
State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, left, and midstate lawyer Tom Brier, right, are both running for the 10th Congressional District in the Democratic primary.
State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and midstate lawyer Tom Brier are trying to woo moderate voters, by touting their ability to reach across the aisle. They are going head-to-head Tuesday for the chance to take on GOP Incumbent Congressman Scott Perry in what promises to be one of the most watched U.S. House races in the fall.
The district includes all of Dauphin County as well as parts of Cumberland and York Counties.
The race made headlines last month when Brier filed a campaign finance complaint – accusing DePasquale of using money from his state office campaigns to kick-start his congressional campaign. Federal law prohibits the transfer of funds from state to national races. Brier claims DePasquale used funds from his previous runs for state office to give his congressional campaign a “soft open” in the months leading up to his official announcement. DePasquale’s campaign called it a baseless attack.
Brier, a former law clerk with the United states Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and associate with Blank Rome LLP , said he’s trying to find common ground with potential voters.
“It’s not having a preconception about who’s a Democrat and who’s a Republican. It’s just going to people regardless of where they are and listening and lending them a hand. And recognizing we all have so much in common that regardless of party we can actually make a difference by working together,” he said.
Brier said the first issue he wants to tackle in Congress is climate change.
“There’s no vaccine for climate change. When it’s here, it’s here. We have a small window to reverse those trends and we have not acted on them. And so long term that is the major concern,” he said.
DePasquale said he plans to represent the district, not an ideology.
“I’m a proud Democrat. But my number one job if I get elected to Congress is to represent this district. And do it in a way that looks out for everybody and tries to advance the national interest and the interest of South Central Pennsylvania and not looking out for one ideology the way so many others do,” he said.
DePasquale said among his immediate priorities is the high cost of prescription drugs.
“Across the country the costs are too high, there’s too much waste in the system,” he said.
Brier, 28, has never held public office. DePasquale, 48, served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013. He was elected state Auditor General in 2012 and was reelected four years later.
Congressman Scott Perry won the seat in 2018 by just 3 points. The Cook Political Report designated the district as a “Republican toss up.” The Republican is running unopposed for his party’s nomination.
The primary will be held on June 2 – after it was pushed back from April to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
